Are You C.O.P. Material...?
Beginning in 2007 Tournament Trail will institute a Certified Observer Program (COP) that could benefit all of our salmon fishing tournaments.  The program is intended to provide a pool of certified observers where needed.  With the increase in the number of tournaments and the number of fishing teams this program could benefit all participants by helping to ensure consistency in rule interpretation and application.

Candidates should have some salmon fishing experience, not be prone to seasickness, and have a desire to help maintain the growth of tournament fishing and the

conservation of our marine resources.  All candidates must be at least 18 years old and submit a completed application to the COP Coordinator.  Approved applicants will be contacted by the COP Coordinator and notified of their acceptance into the program.  Each applicant must successfully complete a training session consisting of the following topics:  Professional conduct, Species Identification and Rules and Regulations (DNR and tournament). Each applicant will be required to pay a $50 fee prior to starting the training class.  An applicant who fails the examination at the end of the training class will be allowed to retake portions of the class and retake the examination at no cost at a future scheduled class.  Individuals who successfully complete the course will be designated a “Certified Observer” (CO) and receive a Certified Observer Identification Card. CO’s will receive $50 per day for each tournament they participate in. The captain/team to which a CO is assigned will be responsible for the observer fee and pay directly to Tournament Trail.  Tournament Trail will pay observer at the completion of each event.

 In order to retain their CO designation each observer will be required to pay an annual renewal fee of $25 which covers the cost of administering the program and updated training classes.  CO shirts and hats will be made available to members who wish to purchase them.  Applications are available in the Tournament Trail magazine and on their website, or by contacting Fred MacDonald.  Each successful applicant will be advised as to time and place of the training program.

Teams which would like to utilize this service can contact the certified observer coordinator. If an observer is available for the event in question, a fee of $100.00 ($50.00 per day) will be assess to the requesting team. The COP program will provide the observer and will pay the $100.00 fee after the event to the said observer. This proposed (work-in-progress) COP program has great potential as we develop and grow the Tournament Trail

The purpose is to provide a service to teams participating in observer required events. Obviously providing your own observer will continue to be your choice.

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